Research advances in the role of gastric cancer-derived mesenchymal stem cells in tumor progression (Review)

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies and the second leading cause of cancer-associated death in the world. The carcinogenesis and development of GC involves complicated steps and various factors, in which the tumor microenvironment serves a vital role. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), also known as mesenchymal stromal cells, are multipotent stromal cells, and have gained increasing attention due to their wound-healing ability, as well as their tumor-promoting potential. MSCs are essential components of the tumor microenvironment and serve important roles in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. The present review focuses on GC and discusses recent advances in under-standing the effect of GC-derived MSC-like cells (GC-MSCs) on tumor progression, chemoresistance and immune escape. Additionally, the mechanism underlying the tumor tropism of bone marrow-derived MSCs and the malignant transition of these cells to GC-MSCs are addressed. The potential of GC-MSCs in the treatment of GC, such as for predicting prognosis and as therapeutic targets, is also discussed in association with their critical role in tumor progression. The information on the characteristics and functions of GC-MSCs provided in the present review may promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies against GC.